All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named his team for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies at Accor Stadium in Sydney, with eight changes to the match-day 23.
The side was confirmed on Thursday by AllBlacks.com, less than a week after New Zealand thrashed Australia 50-19 at Eden Park to retain the Bledisloe Cup. Kick-off in Sydney is 4:00pm local time on Saturday 17 October.
There are eight changes to the 23 that started last weekend, including three in the run-on side. Prop George Bower moves from the bench to start at loosehead, lock Fabian Holland joins Scott Barrett in the second row, and wing Josh Moorby, who came off the bench at Eden Park, starts on the left wing.
Hooker Codie Taylor captains the side from No.2. Damian McKenzie starts at fly-half with Cam Roigard at halfback, Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea in midfield, and Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett completing the back three with Moorby.
Read more: All Blacks Beat Wallabies 50-19, Retain Bledisloe Cup
Bench and injuries
Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima and Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the 23 as reserves, alongside prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and outside back Rieko Ioane.
Unavailable through injury are Leroy Carter (ankle), Anton Segner (concussion), Asafo Aumua (concussion), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Richie Mo’unga (calf) and Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring), AllBlacks.com said.
Read more: Andrew Kellaway Retires After 49 Tests for the Wallabies
Rennie: Wallabies will be hurting
“Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line. We put in a performance befitting the occasion,” Rennie said. “Now we need to back that performance up.”
“The Wallabies are a proud side and they’ll be hurting after last week. It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”
The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup for 24 consecutive years. The sides last met at Accor Stadium on 21 September 2024, when New Zealand won 31-28. Will Jordan has scored 11 Test tries in 2026, the most by any player in international rugby this year, according to AllBlacks.com.
Australia’s team for the Sydney Test had not been named at the time of writing.
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